Shannon Abeda's Olympic Journey to Milan 2026

Hello Everyone,

My name is Shannon-Ogbnai Abeda, and I am proud to be a 2x Olympic athlete representing Eritrea. My journey on skis began at just three years old, and for over 25 years, I’ve passionately competed as a ski racer. I’ve had the incredible honor of representing my country at two Winter Olympics (2018 & 2022) and the inaugural 2012 Youth Winter Olympic Games in Innsbruck, Austria.

Throughout my career, I’ve achieved milestones I never imagined: world rankings as high as 39th in the 2022 Olympic Games, top FIS rankings in Western Canada, and personal growth that extends beyond the slopes. Though I initially retired after the 2018 Olympics, I couldn’t stay away. I returned for the 2022 Games and am now preparing for one final chapter—the Milan 2026 Winter Olympics.

Since 2011, I’ve proudly competed for Eritrea on the FIS circuit. What started as a goal to participate in the 2012 Youth Winter Olympics has grown into a mission to inspire athletes from underrepresented countries, including my own. Along the way, I founded the Eritrean Ski Team, which now includes three talented members in cross-country and ski cross, all pursuing their own Olympic dreams. Milan 2026 will be my last opportunity to carry my nation’s flag on the world stage, and I hope to make it a moment of pride for Eritrea and aspiring athletes everywhere.

However, reaching this goal hasn’t been easy. For the past two Olympics, I’ve self-funded my journey with minimal sponsorships and external support. Today, I’m at a crossroads. To continue competing at this level and secure my qualification for Milan 2026, I need your help. My resources are stretched to their limit, and securing funding has become a critical challenge.

I am seeking financial support to cover the essential costs for the remainder of this season, including:

Travel to qualification events

Training and equipment

Race entry fees

Training camps

Coaching fees

Every contribution—big or small—will make a meaningful difference in my journey to Milan 2026. If you’d like to follow along on my journey, you can find updates on Instagram: @shannonabeda and @eriskiteam.

Thank you for your generosity, encouragement, and belief in my dream. Together, we can make history one more time.

With gratitude,

Shannon-Ogbnai Abeda